Hey guys, been a member here on calaisturbo for a few years now and decided id finally share my vl. When I purchased the car at the age 15 it was starting to look sad and neglected but easily saved as you can see in the photos below. The car had an elderly owner for many years but in the recent few had a younger owner which did the typical ��P Plate�� mods like rims, pod filter, sound system etc. even though im also another young owner ive spent many many hours returning this car back to its original look. Here are some photos of the car in its current state, hope you enjoy. Id love to know your thoughts and feedback cheers Michael. Exterior: (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_5466_zpsdw00und1.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_5461_zpsrdgcnl91.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_5447_zpsds64tl3l.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_5488_zpsoaewffcx.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_5486-2_zpsvcwow2ca.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_5472_zpscswk0pik.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_5444_zps1teiv8a4.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_5470_zpsa7iy1sk9.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_5473_zpsdwtgagze.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_5465-2_zpsuuztwbn5.jpg.html) Engine bay: (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_3958_zps5d2ej8n6.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_3955_zpsrlqd62tp.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_3956_zpsx0dfrodd.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_3962_zpsfjuye6m7.jpg.html) Interior: car is in between the ��s1/2�� of leather hense the s1 door trims. Only one ive seen but I have old photos and it isn�t modified. (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_3971_zpsg4oio1by.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_3968_zpsstihnknd.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_2809_zps282r4nzj.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_3969_zpsxoylw4b1.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_3970_zpsrwawijno.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_3967_zpso59iriav.jpg.html) Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Very nice!

super clean!!! original look all da way

Great job.

OLD PHOTO TIME! Where it all began.... This here was when the car was purchased from the original owner. (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_2694_zpssyqlnyxt.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_2695_zpsvqijrits.jpg.html) And this is how it looked when I bought it a couple years later. SAD! P plate spec. (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_2683_zpsblawdpuo.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_3808_zpsy6ojie8h.png.html) when I bought the car straight away I started repairing all which wasn�t up to my standard. Mechanically it Had a sloppy trans, and bad valve stem seals. The front end looked crap. Had an SL grill. One genuine headlight which was dull and a new one. Missing chrome trims, silver rio bar etc. ended up re doing all that and it was definitely worth the work. Same went on for the rear end BEFORE (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_2835_zps1wk8niru.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_4641_zpsnguyrvvh.jpg.html) AFTER (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_0022_zpsx9ug9idj.jpg.html) The spare wheel well was a disaster. Someone along the line decided they�ll bog up the drainage hole, smart idea hahah! Rusted the **** out of it. I was lucky enough to get a replacement panel and fixed and sprayed inside the boot. BEFORE (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_3914_zpsaoqa4xf9.jpg.html) AFTER (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_3909_zpsrvx4qpgc.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_3965_zpsyxowmh1g.jpg.html) I fixed all the mechanicals and got the engine bay looking nice. But there was something missing�� then there came the turbo conversion. Many months of hunting every little part required. And many more months restoring each piece. Car isn�t LW5 but it looks the part. (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_4847_zpsocgm90vw.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_0427_zpse6ep2oqj.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_0500_zpsdiippa1w.jpg.html) Inlet manifold restoration! (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_0464_zpsr6dmhgmy.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_0490%201_zpsv19ur9hm.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_0481_zpstzir84gf.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_9388_zpsw7aojdhe.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_9234_zpstxkecz3r.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_9203_zps6c6ot3wp.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_0496_zpsokf22hpw.jpg.html) Original turbo dump pipe shield installed. (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_3755_zpsssn5n5my.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_0564_zpsedq7mbhn.jpg.html) Reconditioned head installed with genuine head gasket and parts (engine block and accessories painted) new water pump, reconditioned the alternator, all new hoses etc. usual stuff. (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_0564_zpsedq7mbhn.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_0582%201_zpsaiszsgid.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_3962_zpsfjuye6m7.jpg.html) and that�s up to date with the initial lot of photos. Thanks for reading Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

wow super impressive mate, you've done a real nice job with it!

Looks great mate is it a factory Calais turbo?

I fixed all the mechanicals and got the engine bay looking nice. But there was something missing…… then there came the turbo conversion. Many months of hunting every little part required. And many more months restoring each piece. Car isn’t LW5 but it looks the part. That might answer your question Chris lol ---------- Post added 20-01-16 at 19:22 ---------- Ps:nice car mate, some parts look very similar to mine lol (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/deano23x/media/Bt1/New%20bt1/0E51DFE7-DF51-400F-AC7A-D6CFFB27C317_zpsyfz0kt7k.jpg.html) Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Haha thanks deano Car looks the goods mate!

thats f king nice!!

Engine Bay is amazing, well done

That is mint. Love the way it's done, that leather trim is so sweet. Do you know if that glove box trim is custom? I have never seen a S1 pad like that.

thanks for all the comments guys, appreciate it ill keep all my progresses updated Quote: Originally Posted by mister.x [View Post] That is mint. Love the way it's done, that leather trim is so sweet. Do you know if that glove box trim is custom? I have never seen a S1 pad like that. mister.x I've seen one other glove box pad the same but not in a sandalwood interior'd car. people say its made up but i really don't know what to believe as it looks well done and matches the door trims well. possibly a dealer addition man

Clean car love it. From my experience thou those seats and glove box arnt original. Look like a retrim but Nono the less looks spot on. You got a pic of the cars tags ?

Seats are 100% original mate never been re trimmed, you cannot get that colour to trim them I've seen it done and it's crap! and the tags are 651 XT8 factory leather

Looks awesome bud!

Why did you recondition the engine? Motivational interior though, good stuff

Quote: Originally Posted by soillam [View Post] possibly a dealer addition man ^^ And this is sometimes how false stories start. Anyhow kudos to you for putting such a fair amount of effort into a nice example.

Quote: Originally Posted by fleas [View Post] Why did you recondition the engine? Motivational interior though, good stuff i took the head off to put new valve stem seals in and the head reconditioned, otherwise the rest was fine, just changed and fixed what needed to be ---------- Post added 02-02-16 at 18:50 ---------- Quote: Originally Posted by calaist5 [View Post] ^^ And this is sometimes how false stories start. Anyhow kudos to you for putting such a fair amount of effort into a nice example. not starting false stories lol, I've seen custom leather dealer door trims and glove box pad. mine may or may not be the same situation hence why i wrote possibly

latest update: out with the old, in with the new! much needed power steering rack change finally done. I've had a reconditioned rack sitting in the shed for at least a year I've been putting it off for that long, most hated job lol! changed a few little things while i was at it and officially a drip car free now (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_4581_zpsg8efqioz.jpg.html) (http://s1071.photobucket.com/user/soillam/media/IMG_4416_zpshqjhuceu.jpg.html) Some original photos have not been recovered yet.